Healthy February 2020 Recipes

A great way to reduce the calories in your day is to eat healthier versions of your favorite dinners. This lasagna is the perfect example. The calories, carbs and fats in this dish have been dramatically reduced with some creative ingredient swaps.

Instead of regular lasagna noodles, this recipe calls for zucchini noodles in order to sway the calorie balance in your favor. Cheese has also been swapped out for egg whites, which increases the overall protein while reducing calories.

I am really pleased with how this lasagna turns out both in flavor, consistency, and of course added protein. You’d be surprised at how similar baked egg white looks and feels to melted cheese. Your family will have no clue that this dish is healthy!

Courtesy of RealHealthyRecipes.com

What you need
Servings: 6

For the Noodles
1 small spaghetti squash
4 Green Zucchinis, sliced into ⅛ inch noodles
1 teaspoon olive oil
Dash of salt and pepper
a sprinkle of dried basil

For the Filling
1½ pounds ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken or even ground impossible burger)
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 teaspoons Dried Oregano (OR fresh oregano)
1 (25.5 oz) jar marinara sauce
16 oz. carton egg whites

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Cut the ends off the spaghetti squash and discard. Slice the rest of the spaghetti squash into 1-inch rings. Use a spoon to remove the seeds from the center of each ring. Cut the rings into half and arrange on one of the baking sheets. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

3. Using a mandoline slicer, slice the zucchini into ⅛ inch lasagna noodles. Place in a single layer on the remaining prepared baking sheets. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and dried basil. Bake at 400 F for 10 minutes.

4. In a large skillet, place the ground meat, salt, garlic, onion and oregano over medium high heat. When the meat is browned add the marinara sauce and scrape the roasted spaghetti squash flesh into the skillet. Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.

For the Assembly

1. In a casserole dish, make a single layer of zucchini noodles at the bottom. Top with half of the filling. Top with half of the egg whites. Top with the remaining zucchini noodles, the remaining filling, the remaining egg whites. Sprinkle a little more oregano and basil on the very top.

2. Reduce the oven to 375 and bake uncovered for 40 minutes. Turn on the broil for 2-3 minutes, to help evaporate some of the liquid from the top of the lasagna. Enjoy!

Nutrition
One serving equals: 380 calories, 14g fat, 987mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate, 4g fiber, 6g sugar and 44g protein.

Check out this recipe for Mac and Cheese that kids and adults alike will love! Spaghetti squash is a fantastic replacement for traditional noodles that automatically makes the dish healthier and geared towards your fitness results. Don’t stop at just this recipe – make it a habit to use squash noodles in all of your favorite pasta recipes in order to automatically get leaner. Enjoy!

Courtesy of RealHealthyRecipes.com

What you need
Servings: 6

1 large spaghetti squash
1 teaspoon olive oil
Sea salt
Black pepper
2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 Tablespoon coconut flour
1 cup milk (coconut, almond or regular)
1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
½ cup grated parmesan, plus 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan as optional garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Cut the spaghetti squash in half. Scoop out and discard the seeds. Spray the center of both halves of the squash with cooking spray and place the cut side up on a cookie sheet. Roast until tender when pierced with a knife, about 50 minutes.

2. Remove the squash from the oven and let cool. Once it’s safe to handle, scrape the flesh into a large bowl. Add the steamed broccoli florets to the bowl and set aside.

3. In a large saucepan, melt the coconut oil on medium heat, and whisk in the coconut flour. Add the milk and whisk quickly. Turn heat down to low, add the cheddar and ½ cup grated Parmesan to the saucepan, and stir until melted. Remove from heat.

4. Pour the cheese sauce over the spaghetti squash and broccoli mixture and toss until all the squash is covered.

5. Dish into 4 portion and top off with the salt and pepper to taste plus red pepper flakes and extra Parmesan if you wish!

Nutrition
One serving equals: 290 calories, 23g fat, 360mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, and 14g protein